Characterization of Two Cactus Formulation-Based Flocculants and Investigation on Their Flocculating Ability for Cationic and Anionic Dyes Removal

Abstract

Dye invasion in wastewaters is undeniably one of the crucial environmental concerns in addition to the supplement of toxic synthetic chemical flocculants used for color removal using the conventional coagulation-flocculation process. With the aim to improve the flocculation stage in terms of reagents safety and ensure dyes removal, the present study explores the flocculating effectiveness of two natural, stable, and eco-friendly cactus formulations, namely 60 °C oven-dried (DP) and lyophilized (LP) cladodes. Both formulations were assessed to treat cationic (Methylene blue; MB) and anionic (Methyl Orange; MO) dye solutions as a substitution attempt for the currently questioned employed synthetic chemical flocculants. Obtained results demonstrate that, in conjunction with alum as coagulant, the lyophilized powder (LP) bio-based flocculant appears to be the most efficient cactus formulation, showing a significant color (83%) and a turbidity (69%) abatement for the cationic dye (MB) and, respectively, 63% and 62% for the anionic one (MO). Additionally, the flocculation activity of the LP formula remained high over an eight-month period of storage. Moreover, based on the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis and the chemical characterization of cactus formulations, the occurring flocculation mechanisms of the dye removal are presumed to be based on both adsorption and bridging phenomena. Further, the significant color and turbidity decline achieved upon the addition of the lyophilized cactus cladodes powder (LP), enhancing thus the coagulation performance of the alum-based coagulant, proved the effectiveness of this bio-flocculant compared to the commonly used chemical flocculant (polyacrylamide). Hence, it was suggested that lyophilized cactus cladodes as a natural flocculant could be one of the effective surrogates to chemical flocculants conventionally used in wastewater treatment for the sake of a safer and sustainable environment.

EFFECT OF AMAZON CACTUS (Cereus jamacaru) AS A NATURAL COAGULANT FOR THE REMOVAL OF TURBIDITY FROM SURFACE WATER

“…First, the spines of the plant material were removed and discarded, and then the cactus was washed under running water, cut into pieces of about 1 centimeter (cm), and placed on trays (Figure 1a). These were then placed in an oven at 60 ºC for drying (MILLER et al, 2008;OTHMANI et al, 2020).…”

Electrospun Functional Nanofiber Membrane for Antibiotic Removal in Water: Review

“…Many kinds of pollutants, such as colored dyes [ 3 , 4 , 5 ], heavy metal ions [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], harmful bacteria [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] and drugs [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], are harmful to water. Among them, antibiotics have attracted attention as a new water pollutant [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Effective Chemical Coagulation Treatment Process for Cationic and Anionic Dyes Degradation

“…The MO and MB are highly toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic [7][8][9]. As a result of these pollutants, different treatment methods have been applied such as: electronic adsorption, membrane filtration, chemical oxidation, biological treatment, ion exchange, chemical coagulation (CC) and biological decomposition using different microorganisms [10][11][12]. The coagulation/flocculation ________________________________________________ Egypt.…”

“…65, No. 8 (2022) process is characterized by being practically costeffective, simple, efficient and does not release toxic substances [12][13][14]. There are many types of chemical coagulants including organic, inorganic, and polymers.…”

“…Inorganic coagulants are cheap, available and effective in removing differenent contaminantes. The choice of coagulant depends on wastewater characterization, type of particulate to be removed, quantiy of wastewater, cost, sludge treatment, and the quality of effluent required [12,15]. Coagulation/flocculation is an instantenous process accomplished by adding coagulants into wastewater.…”